'Neither Kohli nor Rohit was there.. ' - Aakash Chopra lauds India after ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test win

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on Shubman Gill and his young team for their thrilling win in the fifth and final Test against England. India clinched the game by six runs on Day 5 at The Oval, successfully defending 374 by dismissing England for 367. Despite missing several senior players, the visitors managed to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series 2-2.

Chopra, in a video on his YouTube channel, emphasized India's accomplishment without the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who had retired from Test cricket before the series. Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant were also unavailable for the tour, yet the team delivered when it mattered most. “Wow, India, wow, History has been created. The match has been won on the Oval ground, and the series has ended at 2-2. They have registered the smallest-margin win in India's Test cricket history,” he said.

Calling the victory “magical” and “fantastical,” Chopra applauded the team’s resilience. “This young team has beaten the opposing team, and we are really proud of you, Team India. These people are different. The biggest learning is not to give up on this team,” he remarked. Chopra acknowledged the team went beyond his expectations. Chopra revealed he expected a 3-2 loss in the series.

Gill’s captaincy earns praise

Chopra was particularly impressed by Shubman Gill’s decision-making under pressure on the final day. He highlighted how Gill chose not to take the new ball even when it was due, understanding that the older ball was still doing enough. “There is a temptation because the new ball was due. He resisted the temptation to take the new ball because the ball was moving,” Chopra pointed out.

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He also noted Gill’s precise field placements that made a critical difference. “A fielder was placed at third man. Gus Atkinson swung his bat, and the fielder was standing almost behind second slip. If he had not been standing there, it would have been a four, and then you never know,” he said. Chopra acknowledged that while Gill is still learning, he managed the team well despite constant comparisons with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.